Photosynthetic pigments

• What do chloroplasts contain that aids in photosynthesis?

  Photosynthetic pigments
• What are the two types of photosynthetic pigments?

  Chlorophylls and carotenoids
• How do accessory pigments benefit photosynthesis?

  They expand the wavelength range absorbed
• What are the names and colors of chlorophyll pigments?

  • Chlorophyll a: Blue-green
  • Chlorophyll b: Yellow-green
• What are the names and colors of carotenoid pigments?

  • β carotene: Orange
  • Xanthophyll: Yellow
• What wavelengths do chlorophylls absorb?

  Blue-violet and red regions
• Why do plants appear green?

  Because chlorophyll reflects green light
• What wavelengths do carotenoids primarily absorb?

  Blue-violet region of the spectrum
• What is the structure of thylakoids in chloroplasts?

  • Thylakoids stack to form grana
  • Provide a large number of pigment molecules
  • Ensure maximum light absorption
• What are photosystems in chloroplasts?

  Light-harvesting clusters of pigments
• How are pigment molecules arranged in a photosystem?

  In funnel-like structures
• What happens to energy in a photosystem?

  It passes down from one pigment to another
• What is the primary pigment reaction center in a photosystem?

  The site where energy is converted
• What is Photosystem I often referred to as?

  P700
• What is Photosystem II often referred to as?

  P680
• What is the role of pigments in photosynthesis?

  • Absorb light across the visible spectrum
  • Facilitate light-dependent reactions
• What is a key difference between the colors of pigments and the colors of light they absorb?

  Pigments have color, not absorbed light